Current Projects

I am currently conducting research aimed at improving smoking cessation success among heavy-drinking smokers. I am also testing sleep interventions for heavy-drinking college students.

Research Summary

Both cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol consumption are among the leading preventable causes of death and disease in the United States. Despite these health risks, a substantial number of individuals are unable to successfully quit smoking or reduce their drinking. Moreover, current efficacious treatments have small to moderate effects on smoking and drinking. Thus, more research is needed on novel smoking and alcohol interventions as well as factors that optimize response to existing treatments.

Identifying factors that optimize the efficacy of existing smoking and alcohol interventions;

Examining the mechanisms through which these treatments bring about clinical change.

I am particularly interested in designing and evaluating smoking and alcohol interventions for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use problems.

My goal is to design treatments and identify treatment targets that are practical across various healthcare settings. I also aim to develop interventions that promote multiple health behavior change given that cigarette smoking and heavy drinking frequently co-occur together and with other risk factors. Multiple health behavior change interventions have the potential to maximize health benefits and reduce health costs.